Telescopically adjustable exercise bar



March 1970 B. c. SCHAEFFER 3,502,326

TELESCOPICALLY ADJUSTABLE EXERCISE BAR Filed March 1'7. 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1 H6 3 m FIG. 4

J I I INVENTOR BERNARR C. SCHAEFFER gg gm 55 ATTORNEY March 1970 B. c. SCHAEFFER TELESCOPICALLY ADJUSTABLE EXERCISE BAR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 17, 1966 United States Patent 3,502,326 TELESCOPICALLY ADJUSTABLE EXERCISE BAR Bernarr C. Schaetfer, Lawrenceville Road, Rosendale, N.Y. 11422 Filed Mar. 17, 1966, Ser. No. 535,251 Int. Cl. A63b 1/02; E04g 25/02; E21d 15/02 US. Cl. 272-62 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable support device includes two telescpoing tubular members, the inner member having a plurality of axial annular grooves at spaced intervals along its length, the outer member having a single axial groove. An open band or ring designed to fit within the annu ar groove is expansible to permit axial movement along said inner tubular member to a selected groove. When positioned within the selected groove, it will intersect the single groove of the outer tubular member preventing further telescopic movement. A threaded adjustment is provided at the end member for vernier positioning between the annular grooves.

The present invention relates to assemblies and more particularly to adjustable support assemblies.

In recent years, uses for adjustable assemblies and particularly adjustable tubular support members have increased significantly due to the advantages of relatively low cost and substantial savings in weight without any commensurate loss in structural strength. Included among the extensive and varied catalogue of uses of such adjustable columns are exercise bars, adjustable pole lamps, supporting devices, adjustable furniture, tripod mounted devices, flagpoles, tentpoles, closet rods, scaffolding, bicycle seats, etc. In addition to existing uses such as those listed above, new uses are constantly being proposed and adopted.

Couplings for such devices are not unknown in the art, but the known prior art devices have inherent structural limitations which render them impractical or economically unfeasible. Prior art assemblies utilize, for example, pins, springs, cams, balls, bearings, etc., are relatively complex and time consuming to adjust, concentrate the load being supported on a single point or points or are limited in the axial distance over which they are adjustable. In conventional pole lamp assemblies, for example, one or more of the tubular members, when installed, are maintained under spring tension which varies with the height of the room in which the lamp is installed. Installation in rooms below or above the standard ceiling height for which the lamps are designed produces either excessive spring tension with resultant ceiling damage, or alternately insuflicient tension to maintain the lamp in a firm upright position.

Prior art adjustable support assemblies utilize a threaded connection which, while generally supporting tension and compression loads, frequently fail under torque loading. Another known prior art adjustable support arrangement utilizes a number of annular grooves on the moveable telescoping member and a pair of locking balls associated with the fixed telescoping member, the positioning of the balls within a selected annular groove serving to maintain the relative positioning of the members. The latter arrangement does not provide a uniform load distribution but rather concentrates the stress only on the balls and those areas in direct point contact therewith.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an improved adjustable support assembly adapted for rapid adjustment, simple and inexpensive in con- "ice struction and designed to support optimum column loading without failure. Considering the preferred embodiment of the invention, two tubular members slidably telescoped for relative longitudinal adjustment are employed, the inner tubular member having a plura ity of relatively uniformly spaced annular grooves or recesses on the outer periphery thereof. The outer tube, the inner diameter of which is adapted to fit over the outer periphery of the inner tubular member, has a reduced inner portion in the form of a peripheral indentation or groove thereon. For ease of description, the inner tube will be designated the fixed, while the outer tube will be designated the movable, although it will be appreciated that these terms are merely relative. An open adjusting band or ring under suitable spring tension is designed to slide over the outer periphery of the inner tubular member and fit within a selected annular slot or recess. When the ring is positioned within the selected slot, the outer surface of the band protrudes above the periphery of the inner tubular member to intercept the circumferential indentation of the movable tube. When the indentation of the outer tubular member contacts the slot mounted band, the dimensions of the combined slot and band relative to the reduced opening of the outer tubular member are such that further longitudinal movement of the outer tube is prevented by the band in the specified recess and the outer tube is locked firmly in position against further longitudinal movement where the adjusting band contacts the peripheral indentation. The outer tubular member, on the other hand, maintains the ring in the selected indentation. Under normal loading conditions, this locking action will be maintained, and provides a substantially uniform stress around the entire periphery of both tubular members. Vernier adjustment, as more fully described hereinafter, is provided by threading one of the end members associated with the inner or fixed tubular member over a distance conforming to that between slots such that any length within the capacity of the device can be accommodated. The use of an open band or ring in the above described manner permits rapid extensible or retractible longitudinal sliding adjustment, since sliding movement of the ring between slots requires merely simple finger motion providing considerable saving in time in adjustment compared to other known devices of the prior art. While the device may be fabricated of any material having the required structural strength to accommodate the load requirements for a specific application, it is preferably fabricated of tubular steel or aluminum. The device is adaptable for further expansion using the above described principle by the insertion of additional expansion members incorporating the band-slot combination between the extreme anterior members.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved adjustable assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved adjustable tubular configuration for providing rapid extensible and retractible longitudinal adjustment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved tubular adjustable support adapted to provide substantially uniform stress around the periphery at a load bearing junction.

Still aonther object of the present invention is to provide an improved exercise bar.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved exercise bar designed for rapid relative longitudinal adjustment utilizing two telescoping members and an adjusting ring.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved exercise bar having improved locking and adjusting means to provide positive engagement when positioned between opposite sides of a support member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved exercise bar which is inexpensive to fabricate and simple to operate.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view partly broken away of the inner or fixed adjustable tubular member.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the open adjusting band or ring.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the outer or movable tubular member.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the knurled sleeve associated with the inner tubular member.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the vernier adjustment of the end member taken along a line AA of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal section view partly broken away of the tubular members illustrating details of the ring locking arrangement.

FIGURE 7 is an end view of the inner tubular member, the outer tubular member and the adjusting ring taken along a line BB in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation view of an adjustable exercise bar.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1 thereof, there is illustrated a plan view of the inner tubular member 21. While the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes round tubing and will be described relative thereto, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not so limited and that the term tubing, as herein employed, includes hollow members of both linear and non-linear cross sectional configurations. Spaced at substantially uniform intervals along the periphery of the tube 21 are a plurality of substantially identical annular grooves or recesses 23. By utilizing the cold rolling process to produce the annular grooves, the structural strength of the rod is reinforced over conventional straight tubing. The rod 21 has a pair of axial slots 25 on the extreme end thereof, the slots providing the necessary peripheral adjustment to permit insertion of the inner tube and maintain it in position within the outer tubular member under normal stress conditions. As a practical matter under normal operating conditions, the tubular members will be so designed that a nominal force is required to telescope or separate the outer and inner tubular members.

Associated with the inner tubular member 21 is an open adjusting band or ring 27 (FIG. 3) which is di mensioned laterally to fit within the retaining grooves 23. The band is open at a point 29 to permit the necessary radial expansion and thus permit sliding of the ring over the outer periphery of the tube during adjustment or until the band is positioned within the desired slot. Band 27, in its preferred embodiment, is made of spring steel, one method comprising cutting a spring from a tube of appropriate material, as for example stainless steel or aluminum.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the outer tubular member or movable column 31 has an inner diameter adapted to accommodate the inner tube and maintain a limited relative spacing between the tubular members, yet permit rapid relative movement during adjustment. The outer column 31 has a single groove 33 which, while similar in appearance to that of the retaining grooves 23 in the inner column, has another function. The outer tube and indented groove will slide longitudinally over the inner tubular member, until it is impinged by the adjusting band 27. The groove 33 forms in effect an inwardly projecting ring within the column 31 which will be engaged when the band 27 is positioned in one of retaining grooves 23. The groove 33 is positioned, in the preferred embodiment, near the end .35 of sleeve 31, a position which provides maximum adjustment, although it will be appreciated that it could be positioned anywhere along its axial length. As typical examples, the annular grooves of the inner tubular member could be positioned 1 inch apart, while the groove on the outer member could be positioned 2" from the end of the tube.

To provide extensible or retractible longitudinal adjustrnent of the assembly, the band 27 is inserted in the recess 23 positioned nearest the desired length, and the outer tube 31 is slidably moved over the inner column until the inwardly projecting groove 33 of tube 31 is engaged by the band 27. This rough adjustment may be readily modified if necessary by sliding the band 23 to another retaining groove until the tubular length is adjusted to conform to the desired distance. In certain applications, such as mounting an exercise bar in a frame or doorway, a final adjustment in the nature of a vernier adjustment is desired.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, there is shown a plan view of an end member of the assembly which includes the vernier adjustment apparatus, which provides an adjustment corresponding to the distance between retaining grooves 23, or, in the above cited example, a distance of 1". In the preferred embodiment herein described, the adjustable end of the inner tube is connected to a knurled sleeve 37, which in turn connects to a mounting head 39. Mounting head 39 in the preferred embodiment comprises a section of rectangular tubing having an open portion 41. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 5, the vernier adjustment includes a stud 43 having its upper portion threaded a distance corresponding to the desired adjustment, which is connected through an end plug 45 and washer 47 to the opening 41 in the mounting head to swivel about the end of the tube. To adjust the assembly longitudinally, the knurled sleeve 37 is manually rotated, causing the inner threaded section 51 of stud 43 to mate with a corresponding threaded portion of end plug 53 in the manner shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 6 illustrates a longitudinal section of the device including details of the major and vernier adjustments. As shown, the band 27 is mounted within one of annular grooves 23. In adjusting the assembly, the tubular members are telescoped together until the band intercepts the groove .33 in outer tube 31. At this point no further relative motion between the members is possible. The vernier adjustment, if required, is made by twisting the knurled sleeve 37, causing the threaded stud to rotate within plug 53. Since the threaded studplug assembly adjusts a distance equal to that between retaining grooves, any adjustment within the capacity of the device can be provided.

FIGURE 7 illustrates an end-view of the device taken along the lines BB of FIGURE 6. The elements comprising the end view, from the insiders are sleeve 43, plug 53, inner tube 21 and sleeve 37.

Referring to FIGURE 8, there is illustrated a side elevation view of an adjustable exercise bar constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown, the device includes an outer tubular member 31 with its groove 33, the inner tubular member 21 with annular grooves 23, the knurled knob 37 associated with the inner tube and the mounting heads 39. In the illustrated embodiment the two mounting heads are substantially identical and comprise pieces of rectangular tubing mounted within rubber. The rubber is ribbed along the upper and lower surfaces 55, 57, and along the inner surface 59. The outer surface 61, which mounts against the opening or bracket is preferably smooth to provide a higher co-efficient of friction and maximum frictional contact with the surface of the frame in its prescribed position. Ideally, the mounting heads 39 will be made of a size, shape, and firmness such that when fully flattened by tightening the bar against its frame, the bar will support a 300 pound capacity which is considered adequate for normal use of the assembly. Note that if the assembly as shown is mounted in a closet or used in a doorway for supporting clothes hangers, the hangers will naturally fit into the annular grooves 23 of the inner member. While the preferred embodiment of the mounting head shown and described herein is designed for an exercise bar, if desired, solid rubber or suitable plastic mounting heads of varied sizes could be provided for different applications.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that an improved adjustable assembly utilizing a new principle has been disclosed, which is inexpensive to construct and operate, has a minimum of moving parts and provides support over the entire periphery of the adjustable assembly for a load.

The device is substantially stronger and thus applicable for heavy load supporting applications than known devices in the prior art, since the only way the device can slip under load would be to deform the entire tube. Also, While the preferred embodiment has been shown as freely rotatable, this could be eliminated where desired by conventional means such as varying the shape of the tubing, using an elongated ridge or slot on the side of the device, etc. The extensive use of available tubing and conventional hardware in the novel combination herein described contributes to the low cost potential of the subject invention compared to known devices of the prior art.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable assembly comprising in combination, a first tubular member having a plurality of annular recesses positioned thereon, a second tubular member having a reduced part occupying a minor portion of the length thereof, said first tubular member being telescopically arranged within said second tubular member, longitudinally adjustable means comprising an expansible open ring adapted to be axially moved along said first tubular member and to fit within any of said annular recesses of said first tubular member for providing longitudinal adjustment of said assembly, the internal diameter of said second tubular member being only slightly greater than the external diameter of said ring when positioned in one of said annular recesses to prevent the spreading of said ring when enveloped by said second tubular member, said reduced part abutting said ring when in one of said recesses to retain the assembly in an adjusted position.

2. A device of the character claimed in claim 1 wherein said adjustable assembly comprises a supporting device which functions to provide uniform axial load distribution around the periphery of said supporting tubular members.

3. A device of the character claimed in claim 2 wherein said supporting device includes end members, at least one of said end members being adjustable.

4. A device of the character claimed in claim 3 wherein said annular recesses are spaced at substantially uniform intervals and wherein said adjustable end member provides a Vernier adjustment substantially equal to the distance between said annular recesses.

5. A device of the character claimed in claim 4 wherein said adjustable assembly comprises an exercise bar and said end members are adapted for positioning against a support frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,510,328 6/1950 Black. 2,548,844 4/ 1951 Myers. 2,594,605 4/ 1952 Zoppelt 272-62 2,919,134 12/1959 Zuro 272-62 2,947,557 8/1960 Schwab. 3,047,293 7/ 1962 Schaefier 27267 FOREIGN PATENTS 125,026 3/1928 Switzerland.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner R. W. DIAZ, ]-R., Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 287-58 

